NXP and Google Android Things Platform for IoT

NXP Semiconductors N.V. in conjunction with the launch of Google's Android Things platform, announced the availability of two development kits consisting of low cost SOM modules, based on its i.MX 6UltraLite (i.MX 6UL) applications processor and base board.

Bringing the NXP i.MX 6UL processor’s cost effective, feature-rich functionality to a broader group of developers, makers and OEMs can help expedite the rapid development of affordable, connected, Android-based IoT devices.

“For the past year, NXP has been an early hardware partner for Google’s IoT platform now called Android Things. We are now the only partner on the market to offer low cost certified, system on modules,” said Robert Thompson, i.MX ecosystem manager at NXP. “We believe that successful implementation of IoT depends on the whole ecosystem working together so we’re excited to be part of this Android Things launch.”

Android Things compatible boards can bring greater benefit to developers in various ways including Google-certified firmware that can run on devices to perform bug fixes, provide automatic updates, ease integration into the Android framework, and allow access for developers to deploy and test their code.

“Developers can take their products, and embed these Android IoT boards into them,” said Martyn Humphries, VP of consumer and industrial applications processors at NXP. “By building on the Android framework, makers and device manufacturers can focus on the details of their product, and leave the low level implementation details and security updates up to Google.”

Powered by the i.MX 6UL processor, the PICO-iMX 6UL board from TechNexion and the Argon i.MX 6UL board from VVDN Technologies both ease and advance features for developers. The boards display the ‘Android Things’ approved logo and are available today.

In addition, the Murata IoT Development Platform from Murata Electronics will be available soon. The NXP i.MX 6 series processors have a successful track record of being powerful enablement technologies for various IoT deployments and initiatives. The i.MX 6UL is a high-performance, ultra-efficient processor family featuring an advanced implementation of a single ARM® Cortex®-A7 core which operates at speeds up to 696MHz.